The View Up Here

I've been working on a new screenplay, and this time I started with a step outline instead of a time-line. The difference is astounding - and I'm finding that this tool more than any other is made for me. The irony here is that all of our advanced screenwriting students at Ithaca College are required to do this as part of their writing process, but I'd never done it myself until now. I'd always eschewed it as a waste of time when I could be writing, but I now know that writing a step outline IS writing. Oh, this is like discovering a new country and planting a flag or something. Appropriately enough, I've found lately that the step by step approach to my entire life is a much easier, stress-free way of setting and meeting goals. I am feeling energized and excited about the momentum this year. In the words of Apolo Anton Ohno, who I've come to admire for his spirit, commitment and positive focus, "No regrets!"

I just finished reading this book I grabbed off one of the spinny-shelves at the library where I work, because I needed something to read on my lunch (and had left my short story book at home like a bonehead). Anyway, it's called Peony In Love , by Lisa See, and it's about a teenaged, well-bred Chinese girl just after the volatile transition from the Ming to Qing dynasties. She's betrothed to be married (one of those arranged marriages, you know), but she meets a romantic poet and falls in desperate love with him (as much as one can at the age of 15), and pines away, obsessed with the tragic romance opera Peony Pavilion and her lovesickness at marrying a total stranger. I won't give away the rest of the story, but I will just say it's not at all what I expected. There is a lot going on in this story with regard to feminism, cultural mores, women and literature, etc. Now, to my point. A certain amount of attention in the novel is spent on the practice and procedures...

Just submitted my Fifth Doctor radio drama outline and sample script pages to Big Finish 's call for pitches. Thanks again to Andrew, who tipped me off to this wonderful opportunity to submit a Fifth Doctor and Nyssa story pitch. Even if my submission goes nowhere, I'm happy to have had the chance to formalize my story idea (Golggothar and the Hunter).

WOW. I've been asked to collaborate on a Space: 1999 novel for the small press that has the franchise license. I am in shock. I hardly thought my writing breakout would be in prose, nor that the show I worshipped as a kid would provide the opportunity to write, get paid, and have fun. Don't get me wrong, I realize Space: 1999 had multiple flaws as a television production (not the least of which is a physics faux pas at the root of the show's premise), but it captured my imagination when I was seven years old, as it did for many. In most ways, the books are more intelligent than the show ever was, deepening the characters and exploring things that let's face it, ITC didn't have a budget to create in 1975. I am honored to be a part of that universe, and I am excited to take on this challenge.

Writing a spec for Big Finish Production's unusual and totally fantastic general invite to pitch an original 5th Doctor audio drama. Peter Davison's Doctor remains my favorite, with David Tennant's 10th a very close second. I think Tennant feels the same way:

Even though writing retreat has been over since Sunday, I've managed to continue some of that momentum. Just finished the last bit of revision on "Beauty Is...," along with the log-line, and sent it off to my manager. It might be a bit off-beat for them, but I think she'll at least have some good feedback for me. I've started working on the next few projects, and have made some decisions for Korea DreamBus as far as structure is concerned. This is a major development, because I've been struggling and going all wishy-washy on how to push that baby out into the world. Not feeling terribly well, though. Headache and general woozeyness. Tomorrow I'm back to work, and by end of next week, the semesters at I.C. and TC3 will be in full swing, so I better be ready! Last night I watched (on-line) the pilot of " Spartacus: Blood and Sand ," a STARZ production. It's "300" meets "Gladiator," Exec. Produced by a handful of people incl...

I'm a little more than half way through this Winter's writing retreat at Constance Saltonstall Foundation for the Arts , and I have to say it's been a productive ride. I finished "Arapata'an," the feature length SF screenplay that's become a saga both on paper and in my mind, I've updated a series pitch for a TV pilot, and I've started the works on that Space: 2099 project (which may very well go nowhere, but at least I'm giving it a go). Next up on the docket: "Beauty Is..." heavy revisions, and then scripting for "Korea Dreambus!" Way to go, 2010! The view outside my window at Saltonstall. My workspace. Deep in thought...posing for the picture.